enamel

American  

[ih-nam-uhl] / ɪˈnæm əl /

noun

1. a glassy substance, usually opaque, applied by fusion to the surface of metal, pottery, etc., as an ornament or for protection.

2. enamelware.

3. any of various varnishes, paints, coatings, etc., drying to a hard, glossy finish.

4. any enamellike surface with a bright luster.

5. an artistic work executed in enamel.

6. Dentistry. the hard, glossy, calcareous covering of the crown of a tooth, containing only a slight amount of organic substance.

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verb (used with object)

enamels, present (3rd person singular) enameled, past participle, past enamelled, past participle, past enameling, present participle enamelling present participle

1. to inlay or overlay with enamel.

2. to form an enamellike surface upon.

   to enamel cardboard.

3. to decorate as with enamel; variegate with colors.

enamel British  

/ ɪˈnæməl /

noun

1. a coloured glassy substance, translucent or opaque, fused to the surface of articles made of metal, glass, etc, for ornament or protection

2. an article or articles ornamented with enamel

3. an enamel-like paint or varnish

4. any smooth glossy coating resembling enamel

5. another word for nail polish

6. the hard white calcified substance that covers the crown of each tooth

7. (modifier)

   1. decorated or covered with enamel

      an enamel ring

   2. made with enamel

      enamel paste

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verb

1. to inlay, coat, or otherwise decorate with enamel

2. to ornament with glossy variegated colours, as if with enamel

3. to portray in enamel

enamel Scientific  

/ ĭ-năm′əl /

1. The hard, translucent substance covering the exposed portion of a tooth in mammals. Enamel is the hardest substance in the body, and consists mostly of calcium salts.

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enamel Cultural  

1. The hard, white substance that covers the crown of a tooth.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• enamelist
  noun
• unenameled
  adjective
• enameler
  noun
• enameller
  noun
• unenamelled
  adjective
• enamelwork
  noun

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have enameled
  perfect
• have enamelled
  perfect
• has enameled
  perfect 3rd person singular
• has enamelled
  perfect 3rd person singular
• is enameling
  progressive 3rd person singular
• are enameling
  progressive
• are enamelling
  progressive
• am enamelling
  progressive 1st person singular
• is enamelling
  progressive 3rd person singular
• has been enamelling
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• enamels
  singular 3rd person
• have been enamelling
  perfect progressive
• has been enameling
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• enameling
  participle
• have been enameling
  perfect progressive
• enamelling
  participle
• am enameling
  progressive 1st person singular

Past

• had enameled
  perfect
• had enamelled
  perfect
• was enamelling
  progressive singular
• were enamelling
  progressive plural
• had been enamelling
  perfect progressive
• were enameling
  progressive plural
• had been enameling
  perfect progressive
• was enameling
  progressive singular
• enamelled
  simple
• enameled
  simple
• enamelled
  participle
• enameled
  participle

Future

• will enamel
  simple
• will have enameled
  perfect
• will have enamelled
  perfect
• will have been enameling
  perfect progressive
• will be enameling
  progressive
• will be enamelling
  progressive
• will have been enamelling
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of enamel

1275–1325; Middle English enamelen < Anglo-French enameler, enamailler, equivalent to en- en- ¹ + -amaler, derivative of asmal, esmal enamel, Old French esmail ( -al taken as the suffix -ail ) < Old Low Franconian *smalt- something melted, cognate with German Schmalz fat; akin to smelt ¹; cf. smalto

Explanation

Enamel is the glossy, decorative coating that's applied to metal or pottery to make it prettier and sometimes sturdier. You might cook a casserole in your favorite pot, made of blue enamel. Enamel is used in all kinds of everyday objects, including the surface of washing machines, baking dishes, and some bath tubs. The enamel itself is made from melted powdered glass, which can easily be fused to metal and other surfaces. The outer part of your teeth is also known as enamel, and though sugar and other foods can decay it, your tooth enamel is actually the strongest, hardest substance in your body.

Related Words

• coating
• glaze
• lacquer
• stain
• varnish